GOOD seasonal conditions and optimism in the sheep and wool industry was once again reflected in the Cramphorne Merino and Poll Merino stud's on-property ram sale last week.
While a slightly smaller offering of 80 two-tooth rams was made available to the 10 registered buyers, the Kerse family achieved an almost total clearance in selling 76 Merino and Poll Merino rams at an average of $983, up $119 on last year.
This year it was a Poll Merino ram halfway through the catalogue that topped the sale at $2100.
The ram, which boasted April wool test results of 17.8 micron, 4 SD, 22.4 CV and 99.7 per cent comfort factor, was the subject of a fierce bidding war before first time attendees Rockdale Farming Co, Myaree, emerged as the winning buyer.
Andrew Oldcorn, who manages a property at east Muntadgin for brothers Brendan and Tim Maher, said the ram would be used over about 500 ewes they purchased from Cramphorne recently.
Mr Oldcorn said cropping was their main enterprise but the Merinos would be used to supplement their income.
He said Cramphorne had produced a good line of sheep, and they were hoping to get value out of their wool with a small flock.
"We were looking for rams of a good size with good wool, and at the lower end of the micron scale as we are looking to produce quality over quantity," he said.
Rockdale Farming Co bought a total of 10 rams, purchasing three Merinos at an average of $1233 and seven Poll Merinos at an average of $1414.
Losing bidder on the top-priced ram was Kevin Kerse, trading as KJ & C Kerse, Muntadgin, who paid a sale-high Merino price of $1500 twice.
That was for the ram in pen four, which had wool test results of 18.2 micron, 4.3 SD, 23.5 CV and 99.1pc CF, and pen seven which measured 16.5 micron, 3.2 SD, 19.7 CV and 99.7pc CF.
Mr Kerse bought eight rams in total, four Merinos at an average of $1325 and four Poll Merinos at an average of $1287.
The volume buyer for the afternoon was Kevin Broad, Elders stud stock, who bought 17 Poll Merino rams at an average of $776 for Newmount Nominees, Merredin.
Danny Cole, R & G Cole, Bruce Rock, was the volume buyer of Merino rams, picking up five at an average of $840 and to a top of $1200.
The mood was sombre prior to the sale as stud principal Graham Kerse paused to remember long-time client Alex Stirrat, who passed away suddenly in April, aged 78.
Son Ken Stirrat, AD & NG and KA Stirrat, Muntadgin, was there to continue the family connection with the stud, and bought five rams - three Merino rams for $600 each and two Poll Merinos at an average of $775.
Regular buyer Aaron Smith, Golden Square Farms, Westonia, purchased 13 rams - four Merinos at an average of $937 and nine Poll Merinos at an average of $1005.
Mr Smith said he was running about 2800 Merino ewes, which had saved him through tough drought-like conditions over the past few years, and had chosen rams based on their wool and size, rather than whether they were Merino or Poll Merinos.
Russell McKay, Elders stud stock, bought 10 rams on behalf of RE Mortimore & Co, Narembeen, at an average of $945.
